Oh Boy...I dont have enough money for Disney

[LuluLovesDisney]

Totally agree too - my at-risk students actually put super expensives shoes on their feet and manicures on their nails, before feeding their babies, or, themselves.

It is a difficult cycle to undo, as it has been ingrained in people for generations. Money is very temporary and short term - you get it, you spend it. It is rare or unheard of with generational poverty to save or plan ahead - entertainment is the foundation of their lives, as it keeps them, and their friends and family happy. Material possessions are what defines them, and that is how they are raised.

It is sad to see on a daily basis with my highschoolers too...I imagine they might grow up to be like the OP, if indeed she is who others believe her to be.

Tiger

It is funny, as I get older, I realize what is most important is experiences, not material things. I remember baking with my mother, drawing with my dad and my grandmother teaching me to crochet more than I remember 95% of my toys. I try to remember this in my daily life and it has helped me stay on budget more than ANY other tip. My nephew doesn't remember expensive gifts as much as the time I made a pretend bus out of a refrigerator box and paper plates with him. My budget reflects this- my phone, camera and scrapbooks are my splurges. I would much rather have these to help me keep my memories rather than expensive items that eventually become clutter. Believe it or not, we hardly even get Disney souvenirs anymore except the edible kind!

 

[snowy76]

Then the same can be said about welfare programs. Some of our tax dollars are used to pay the case workers salaries. (Someone has to do intake and recerts)

Again, I don't mind my tax $ paying salaries. But welfare department employees (read: they do a job for their money) are completely different from welfare recipients who get benefit money and then somehow can afford a WDW trip, as some are suggesting is the case here.